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LUBBOCK - Singer-songwriter George Strait delivered a consistently entertaining musical thank you to West Texas fans for their past 32 years of support — kicking off his final concert tour Friday night with a two-hour, 29-song performance at the United Spirit Arena.

He set a venue attendance record by attracting 15,200 energetic, enthusiastic and loud supporters to his 15th Lubbock concert.

Indeed, one doubts that noise levels at past Texas Tech basketball thrillers in the same arena could match the aural bedlam that greeted even Strait’s performance of “Amarillo by Morning.”

He and his Ace in the Hole band raised the attendance bar set by the 14,944 fans. A prior record, who witnessed a co-headlining appearance by Strait and Reba McEntire back in March 2011.

Strait’s vocals were consistently strong again on Friday, even when production occasionally, and oddly, found the mix leaning in favor of the band.

From beginning to end, he came across as thrilled and appreciative of the colossal turnout. Indeed, Strait climbed on stage at 9:15 p.m., wearing a button-down shirt, traditional Wranglers and a smile as big as Texas.

He appeared more animated Friday than at prior Lubbock performances, and delivered an impressive balance of old and new material.

In addition, he refused to limit his set to any sort of greatest hits package, instead introducing a number of obvious personal favorites from past albums.

An encore found him diving right into an arrangement of “Same Kind of Crazy” that was infectiously fun, if decidedly something other than country.

Not surprisingly, his audience almost inserted a sigh of relief amid its cheers when greeting Strait’s follow-up rendition of “All My Exes Live in Texas.”

Strait ably communicated varied fun and sad tunes throughout his show. He also seemed to share more personal background, whether mentioning an early songwriting effort by his own son, Bubba (George Jr.), or getting a kick out of how many of his own albums featured Dean Dillon compositions.

Still, he came across as briefly uncomfortable when mentioning, in a near whisper, that friend and songwriter Frank Dycus had passed away.

There was great fun within the video clips shared while singing “Troubador.”

“I still feel 25 most of the time,” the song begins, and there followed wonderful clips of a youthful Strait riding, roping and, away from the rodeo grounds, singing — and succeeding everywhere.

Lyrics later stated, “I was a young troubador, when I wrote in on a song, but I’ll be an old troubador when I’m gone.”

It remains obvious, however, that Strait can continue to entertain as long as he wants.

Mind you, the performer insists that, until last year, he never planned to embark on a final tour, with hopes to keep recording.

Subconsciously, that subject was up for debate, though.

The proof lies in fascinating 2011 song “I’ll Always Remember You,” which he saved for late in Friday’s show. “You’ve pulled me through some hard times,” he sang to his fans, “Hope I’ve pulled you through a few. And just know that I’ll always remember you.”

Strait transformed the final words into a personal promise, prompting a slow turn as he pointed to sections throughout the area.

By the way, if there were empty seats even in the upper rows of the United Spirit Arena, few could make them out. The hall appeared packed, and I remembered when basketball coach Bobby Knight pointed to seats in the upper corner of section 222, and said he wanted the Red Raider basketball team to fill those seats.

Strait certainly had no difficulty pulling that off.

Also having a great time were a number of female fans attending in small groups of friends, so excited when cameras captured them singing and swaying while Strait sang, "How 'Bout Them Cowgirls?"

It is only fair that Martina McBride also receive credit for her own wonderful opening performance. She, too, pulled out all the stops, and cameras made sure that fans could see her respond with, “Oh. my God,” when she was honored with a much deserved standing ovation.

McBride appeared positively giddy that she had been asked, yet again, to tour with seemingly every country superstar’s favorite country superstar.

Meanwhile, those present at George Strait’s very first concert in his very last tour had to be aware that they had just taken part in something very special.